Google Pixel Fold review: Is this expensive foldable phone worth it?

That’s a ton of cash to spend on a smartphone, even one which Google {hardware} chief Rick Osterloh promised would set “a brand new commonplace for foldable know-how.”

So, was he proper? I’ve been dwelling with the Pixel Fold for per week now, and I’m not completely satisfied.

That doesn’t imply I don’t prefer it: The Pixel Fold is extra comfy to make use of than its rivals, and I’ve actually been having fun with its cameras. It truly is a step in the precise route for foldable telephones. The catch? It’s not a really large step in the precise route.

Right here’s what it’s best to know.

The design is usually implausible. Foldable telephones usually fall into two camps: regular-sized telephones that fold in half for straightforward pocketability, and extra typical trying telephones that unfold to grow to be small tablets. The Pixel Fold is without doubt one of the latter — and one of many nicest I’ve ever used, at that.

That’s as a result of, not like rival units from Samsung, the Pixel Fold has a wider 5.8-inch outer display screen that makes utilizing it as a cellphone a lot much less awkward. (I don’t wish to use one other foldable that isn’t this form, frankly.) And if you open the Pixel Fold, you’re left with somewhat pill that’s noticeably slimmer than different fashions, too. So why is the design simply “principally” implausible?

The inside display screen isn’t good. Whenever you open the Fold, you’ll discover a 7.6-inch inside display screen that’s crisp and many brilliant for outside use — however I’ve seen higher.

For one, the massive crease in center of that display screen the place the cellphone hinges in half is difficult to overlook — folding units from firms with extra expertise have creases that don’t stand out as a lot. And whereas the massive bezels round that inside display screen give your thumbs a spot to relaxation if you maintain the cellphone good, they make the Pixel Fold look a lot much less premium than rival units.

Cameras edge out the competitors. Day or evening, the Pixel Fold’s most important digital camera often exhibits off fantastic element in photographs higher than its closest competitor, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold4. The Pixel Fold’s colours look extra true-to-life than what comes out of Samsung’s cameras too, which is nothing new — Samsung produces photos with poppy, eye-catching colours which can be barely out of step with actuality.

In equity, you actually should go on the lookout for a few of these variations, and there are positively occasions when Samsung took a greater image than Google. However on the entire, Google’s foldable cameras have an edge right here — even when only a small one generally.

Battery life is strong. My rule of thumb for battery life is straightforward: if I neglect to plug it in on the finish of a busy day and nonetheless have sufficient juice to get a number of issues achieved the next morning, I’m glad. Up to now, the Pixel Fold has cleared that take a look at with no issues — one thing I couldn’t at all times say about units like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4.

What the advertising and marketing doesn’t point out

Conventional smartphones have higher cameras. The Pixel Fold could produce nicer trying photographs than different foldable telephones I’ve examined, however you’ll nonetheless possible get higher photos from extra typical fashions. The iPhone 14 Professional and Google’s non-folding Pixel 7 Professional, as an illustration, seize and spotlight extra element in photos in comparison with the Pixel Fold. The iPhone produces noticeably cleaner evening photographs, too.

Few distinctive experiences. Ever since Google launched its first Pixel cellphone in 2016, it’s been banging the drum concerning the options you gained’t discover anyplace else. Pixels can, as an illustration, unblur photographs you took that just about look nice, and assist you to extra simply navigate annoying customer support menus if you name your financial institution.

All of these Pixel-exclusive options are again, however — for now, a minimum of — Google hasn’t included any instruments that make the Pixel Fold shine in comparison with different foldable telephones.

This can change in time, beginning with a brand new “interpreter” mode for Google Translate that makes use of each of the Fold’s screens coming quickly, however nonetheless — contemplating how targeted Google is on making its Pixels really feel distinctive, it’s somewhat disappointing that the Fold doesn’t attempt to break extra new floor right here.

Individuals who need do extra with a single gadget. That is actually the entire of level of a tool like this — the Pixel Fold is a good little pill for studying and watching movies if you’re within the temper and an everyday smartphone the remainder of the time. Multitasking is very good on units like these, too; you may run two apps facet by facet on that greater display screen, making it simpler to seek advice from paperwork whereas whipping up an e mail.

Google devotees. Google treats Pixel house owners somewhat higher than everybody else with an Android cellphone. These units get — amongst different issues — free use of Google’s VPN to maintain your on-line shopping extra non-public, plus quick entry to the newest variations of Android, and Pixel unique software program instruments that arrive in common “function drop” updates.

Some folks could shudder on the some ways Google has a maintain on our lives on-line and that’s truthful. However for those who’ve already embraced a life filled with Google, units just like the Pixel Fold reward you for getting in much more.

Individuals who can’t cope with heavy devices. The Pixel Fold seems tremendous slim when it’s open, however at 10 ounces, it’s additionally one of many heaviest foldables you’ll discover in america. (You’ll discover it most if you’re utilizing it in its folded, cellphone mode). Everybody I’ve proven the Fold to has remarked on its weightand it’s hefty sufficient to make units just like the roughly 7.3 ounce iPhone 14 Professional really feel downright dainty.

Individuals who need the highest-end {hardware}. The Pixel Fold usually seems nice, but it surely makes use of a processor — the Tensor G2 — that Google began placing in its telephones final 12 months. Now, you may even discover that very same chipset within the firm’s most cost-effective new smartphone, which implies there isn’t an enormous distinction in efficiency between a Google cellphone that prices $1,799 and one which prices $449.

That’s to not say the Pixel Fold feels sluggish or disagreeable to make use of — it’s greater than speedy sufficient for all the each day duties and video games I’ve thrown at it. Nonetheless, Google’s resolution right here makes the Fold’s lofty price ticket tougher to swallow.

What are the alternate options?

We’ve already seen Motorola — which hasn’t launched a brand new folding cellphone right here in three years — return with a brand new, $999 model of its RAZR cellphone that’s an enormous enchancment over earlier fashions. It’s not a book-style foldable, however it might scratch the itch for folks on the lookout for one thing completely different.

For folk who actually desire a phone-tablet hybrid just like the Pixel Fold, new fashions from Samsung — the largest title in folding telephones in america by far — and OnePlus are anticipated to look earlier than the top of the summer season.

You’ll have extra choices to select from than ever earlier than for those who’re prepared to attend a bit, and we’d strongly suggest it. In any case, why splurge earlier than you’ve seen all of your choices first?